Source: International Monetary Fund – IMF (video statements)
Can sub-Saharan Africa scale AI fast enough to raise productivity and improve public services?
New IMF research finds that under current conditions, AI’s productivity gains in the region will stay modest. Faster adoption, broader use across sectors, and stronger enabling conditions could raise those gains by an order of magnitude. A virtual panel from the IMF and the Africa Program at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace on what adoption really depends on, from electricity and digital infrastructure to skills and governance.
Thursday, September 17, 2026, 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. EDT
SPEAKERS
Fonteh Akum, Africa Program, Carnegie Endowment for International Peace
Martin Schindler, African Department, IMF
Kalpana Kochhar, Gates Foundation
Jane Munga, Africa Program, Carnegie Endowment for International Peace
Bosun Tijani, Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Nigeria
Zeine Zeidane, African Department, IMF
Moderated by Alexis Akwagyiram, Semafor Africa
Read the research
https://www.imf.org/en/publications/departmental-papers-policy-papers/issues/2026/07/13/unlocking-the-potential-ai-in-sub-saharan-africa-576489
Informal comments to the media by H.E. Mr. Robert Dussey, Minister for Foreign Affairs, Cooperation, African Integration and Togolese Abroad of Togo on the adoption of the "Correct the Map" resolution.
The Secretary-General’s Personal Envoy for Sudan, Pekka Haavisto, arrived in Khartoum today. There, he will engage key stakeholders on ways to advance measures to de-escalate violence and strengthen the protection of civilians. Yesterday, he had a phone call with General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, known as Hemedti, the Commander of the Rapid Support Forces to discuss those same issues.
On Tuesday, 8 September, the Personal Envoy will be joined in Khartoum by our partners from the Quintet [the African Union, European Union, IGAD -the Intergovernmental Authority on Development, and the League of Arab States] for a series of meetings. They will have exchanges with key stakeholders on the current political landscape, including recent initiatives and proposals to advance an intra-Sudanese dialogue.
We continue to emphasize the importance of a negotiated political settlement of the conflict that reflects the democratic aspirations of the Sudanese people.
Mr. Haavisto will continue to engage with a broad range of Sudanese actors, both inside and outside Sudan, to identify the best ways to support a broad-based Sudanese-owned and led, inclusive and comprehensive political process to achieve lasting peace in Sudan.
NEPAL
Moving to Nepal. This morning, the UN and its humanitarian partners launched a nearly $50 million flash appeal to support the emergency response following the recent catastrophic flash floods and landslides. The four-month appeal aims to help 84,000 people.
OCHA says that survivors face tragic losses of family members, homes and livelihoods. Widespread destruction of critical infrastructure has severed transport routes, disrupted power grids and washed-out local water supply and sanitation systems, leaving isolated populations without basic necessities.
The UN Resident Coordinator in Nepal, Lila Pieters Yahia, said that the appeal, under the leadership of the Government, will help get cash, shelter, healthcare, food, clean water and protection to some of the hardest-to-reach communities.
Meanwhile, we continue to support the response. The World Food Programme (WFP), in the first week after the disaster, despatched food for 8,000 people and procured a further 180 metric tonnes of food. WFP is also standing by with air support, including helicopters and unmanned aircraft, to deliver food and other supplies to people in the most isolated areas.
And the UN Children’s Fund tells us that this morning a flight carrying 84 metric tonnes of critical humanitarian supplies landed in Kathmandu, with the support of the European Union Humanitarian Aid. UNICEF is despatching the supplies to some of the hardest-hit areas. The supplies will help families access safe water, strengthen disease prevention, support children’s learning and ensure front-line health and nutrition workers have the tools to identify and assist vulnerable children and mothers.
#eunews #EUfoodsafety #singlemarket
EU food safety requirements on antimicrobial resistance apply to both European producers and products entering the Single Market.
The Commission says it will continue working with Brazilian authorities on meeting these requirements, with affected exports able to resume once compliance is met.
Watch on the Audiovisual Portal of the European Commission:
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#eunews #weeklynews #ai #gasstorage #defence
What happened in EU news the week of 31/08-04/09:
How is Europe strengthening its defense: EU and NATO Respond to Leipzig Sabotage Attempt
Meta and Tiktok’s ongoing investigation: Meta and Tiktok under investigation by the EU
AI’s new labelling system: How You’ll Know When It’s AI
No risk of low gas this winter: No lack of gas supply this winter – YouTube
See you next week for more EU news!
Watch on the Audiovisual Portal of the European Commission:
Disclaimer: Comments considered in breach of our social media moderation policy may be removed. You can take a look at it here: https://europa.eu/!q4KMP8
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In South Sudan, access to water can mean more than survival—it can help prevent conflict and strengthen communities.
Supported by the UN Mission in South Sudan, a new reservoir is bringing water closer to communities, supporting livelihoods and economic growth, and helping build a more peaceful future.
In the heart of Manhattan in New York City, the effects of climate change are becoming increasingly visible.
New York’s Central Park – one of the world’s most recognisable landmarks – is experiencing heavier downpours, flooding and soil erosion, while prolonged heatwaves are putting pressure on the ecosystem.
A composting project in the park is giving plants the strength to cope with the changing climatic conditions.
In the heart of Manhattan, the impacts of climate change are becoming increasingly visible.
New York’s Central Park—one of the city’s most iconic landmarks—is facing heavier rainfall, flooding, soil erosion and prolonged heatwaves, putting increasing pressure on its fragile ecosystem.
But nature is fighting back. A composting project in the park is helping enrich the soil, strengthen plants and build resilience to a changing climate.
